Convergent Molecular Pathways in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Parkinson's Disease: Insights into Mechanisms and Pathological Consequences.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemic conditions. A higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease (PD) in patients with T2DM has become evident in recent years. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the interplay between T2DM and PD pathogenesis remain unknown. Nevertheless, emerging epidemiological studies have demonstrated many common molecular pathways that play an essential role in regulating normal cellular functioning are independently implicated in the progression and etiopathogenesis of T2DM and PD. This review summarizes some common shared pathophysiological mechanisms, including insulin resistance, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress), autophagy, and the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) that independently mediate the onset and etiopathogenesis of T2DM and PD. In this review, we summarize the studies that have reported the relationship between T2DM and PD. This review will provide insights into the common involvement of molecular pathways that may provide alternative treatment strategies for both T2DM and PD.